(Un)Expected Associations: Math Efficacy and Interest Predicting Achievement and Course Preference for Hispanic Adolescents

• In Event: Achievement Goals

Abstract

The interplay of students’ math motivations, achievement, and course-taking over time is well documented among middle-class European- and Caucasian-American populations. Less is known about non-white populations. We examined relations between efficacy and interest at four time points in four middle school cohorts across two school years, and their relations to achievement and enrollment preferences in a sample of Hispanic youth (N=2,498). Longitudinal multi-group cross-lagged path analyses showed a replication of findings with white populations. However, interest beliefs positively predicted the development of efficacy from 9th to 11th grade. Additionally, interest was more consistently and more strongly associated with efficacy, achievement and math course preference for female students than male students.

Authors

• Anna-Lena Dicke, University of California, Irvine

• Charlott Rubach, University of California - Irvine

• Nayssan Safavian, University of California - Irvine

• Stuart A. Karabenick, University of Michigan

• Jacquelynne S. Eccles, University of California - Irvine